U.S. patent number 5,506,937 [Application Number 08/042,242] was granted by the patent office on 1996-04-09 for concept mapbased multimedia computer system for facilitating user understanding of a domain of knowledge.
This patent grant is currently assigned to University of West Florida. Invention is credited to Alberto J. Canas, John W. Coffey, Kenneth M. Ford.
United States Patent |
5,506,937 |
Ford , et al. |
April 9, 1996 |
Concept mapbased multimedia computer system for facilitating user
understanding of a domain of knowledge
Abstract
A computer system having an explanation facility for
facilitating user understanding of concepts underlying a domain of
knowledge which enables a user to interact with and explore the
domain of knowledge. The explanation facility utilizes a
concept-map based representation of a domain of knowledge and
several icons to control the mode of output of information from the
computer system. Each concept map has concept nodes which represent
concepts in the domain of knowledge, links between the concept
nodes, and icons. The icons are positioned at the concept nodes and
represent alternative modes of output of information from the
computer system. A user desiring more information about a concept
node can select one of the icons corresponding to the mode of
output of information desired. Modes of output of information
include audio, video (images and movies), text, concept maps, and
combinations of the foregoing. Through the use of concept maps and
icons that control modes of output of information, a user may
navigate the domain of knowledge and retrieve information specific
to the user's particular needs.
Inventors: |
Ford; Kenneth M. (Golf Breeze,
FL), Canas; Alberto J. (Pensacola, FL), Coffey; John
W. (Pensacola, FL) |
Assignee: |
University of West Florida
(Pensacola, FL)
|
Family
ID: |
21920830 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/042,242 |
Filed: |
April 2, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
706/11; 706/55;
706/60; 704/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B
23/28 (20130101); G06N 5/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06N
5/04 (20060101); G09B 23/28 (20060101); G09B
23/00 (20060101); G06N 5/00 (20060101); G06F
015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;395/12,11,63
;364/400,413.02,413.13,419.08 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Knowledge-based visualization of Myocardial Perfusion E. V. Garcia
et al. IEEE 22-25 May 1990. .
Ford et al., ICONKAT: an integrated constructivist knowledge
acquisition tool, Knowledge Acquisition 3, (1991), pp. 15-25. .
Novak, J. D. and Gowin, D. B., Learning how to learn, Cambridge
University Press (1984), pp. 15-25. .
Ford et al., Interpreting Functional Images with NUCES: Nuclear
Cardiology Expert System, presented at the Florida AI Research
Symposium (Flairs-92), Ft. Lauderdale, FL., Apr. 1992..
|
Primary Examiner: MacDonald; Allen R.
Assistant Examiner: Dorvil; Richemond
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Calfee, Halter & Griswold
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for enabling an end-user to understand and explore
knowledge about a particular topic, comprising a computer
having:
a. an output means for presenting information to the end-user;
b. a memory means for storing and retrieving information;
c. a means for interfacing the end-user to said system, said means
for interfacing comprising an input device, and
said computer further comprising means for generating icons on said
output means, said icons having pictures, each picture representing
a mode of output of information from said computer; and
d. a means for presenting information to the end-user pertaining to
at least one of a plurality of selected concepts underlying a
particular domain of knowledge, in communication with said output
means, memory means, and means for interfacing the end-user,
said means for presenting information to the end-user including
said icons and a concept map-based representation of said
particular domain of knowledge;
said concept map-based representation comprising:
i. at least one concept map having:
(1) a plurality of concept nodes, wherein each of said concept
nodes represents a concept in said particular domain of knowledge;
and
(2) at least one link for linking a discrete pair of concept nodes
thereby forming a semantic unit, said semantic unit forming a
proposition; and
said concept map further comprising a plurality of said icons, said
icons being arranged in groups of one or more icons, each of said
groups being associated on said concept map with one of said
concept nodes;
ii. information associated with said concept nodes accessible
through end-user selection of an icon in said groups of one or more
icons associated with said concept nodes;
said system including means for generating said concept map with
said icons on said output means;
said system further including means for generating an output
responsive to end-user selection of an icon associated with a
concept node, the substance of said output corresponding to
information associated with said concept node, and the mode of said
output corresponding to the picture in said icon, to thereby form
an interface from each concept node and said icons associated
therewith to said information in said concept map based
representation of said particular domain of knowledge.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said output means comprises a
means for displaying information.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said output means further
comprises a means for producing audio signals.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said output is selected from a
group consisting of video, audio, text, repertory grids, concept
maps, and combinations of the foregoing.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said output comprises video.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said output further comprises
audio.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said output comprises audio.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said concept map based
representation further comprises a concept map hierarchy having an
overview of concepts in said domain of knowledge; and
said system including means for generating said concept map
hierarchy on said output means.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said concept map hierarchy is
configured responsive to said means for interfacing an end-user to
convey said end-user to said at least one concept map in said
domain of knowledge.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system which facilitates user
understanding of a domain of knowledge, such as a domain of
knowledge underlying a knowledge-based system. The present
invention is particularly useful in facilitating user understanding
of a domain of knowledge underlying an expert system such as a
nuclear cardiology expert system designed to aid physicians in
offering a diagnosis on the basis of first pass cardiac functional
images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Applicants believe there is an important need for providing new and
useful tools for facilitating user understanding of a domain of
knowledge. Facilitating user understanding of a domain of knowledge
can be useful for various purposes, e.g., as a teaching tool or
reference tool about the domain of knowledge, or as a tool for
facilitating user understanding of a domain of knowledge underlying
a knowledge-based system (e.g., an expert system). For example, in
the applicants' experience, when a user requests an expert system
to explain its conclusions or its reasoning, the system typically
provides the specific logic behind its conclusion or its reasoning
(e.g., the system would respond by explaining ". . . data parts A,
B & C, lead to inference D; data part E, coupled with inference
D, lead to conclusion F . . . "). Alternatively, with some types of
expert systems, when a user makes a request for an explanation of a
system's conclusion or its reasoning, the system provides a fixed
or "canned" response to the explanation request.
In applicants' view, such approaches to explanation, while useful
to some degree, leave significant areas for improvement. For
example, an expert system should have an explanation facility which
provides the user with a fuller understanding of the expert's
domain of knowledge underlying the expert system. Moreover, the
explanation facility should provide the user with the ability to
interact with and explore (navigate) a particular domain of
knowledge, thereby enabling the system to be used as a teaching or
reference tool.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and useful system for
facilitating user understanding of a domain of knowledge. The
present invention is particularly useful for facilitating user
understanding of a domain of knowledge underlying a knowledge-based
system, such as a nuclear cardiology expert system which is
designed to aid physicians in arriving at a diagnosis on the basis
of first pass functional imaging of the heart. Moreover, the
present invention is designed to be user friendly, and to
facilitate user understanding of a domain of knowledge in a manner
which enables the invention to be used as a teaching or reference
tool with respect to the domain of knowledge.
According to the present invention, a domain model is provided
which represents knowledge about a particular topic. The domain
model includes (i) at least one concept map which represents a
hierarchical framework of concepts illustrating the relationship(s)
between selected concepts, and (ii) supporting devices including
mediating representations associated with selected concepts in the
concept map. A user interface is provided which (i) displays the
domain model, or selected portions thereof, and (ii) enables a user
to enter the domain model and to interact with the supporting
devices to understand and explore the domain model.
A user can enter the domain model either at the most general of the
concepts provided in the domain model, or at the location in the
domain model most apropos to that part of the domain of knowledge
which is of interest to the user when the user enters the domain
model. For example, when the present invention is being used as an
explanation facility for an expert system, if the user makes an
explanation request at a certain point in the user's consultation
with the expert system, the user is conveyed to that location in
the domain model which is most apropos to the explanation request.
On the other hand, if the invention is being used as a reference or
teaching tool with respect to a topic, the user can be conveyed to
a location in the domain model which is related to a particular
part of the topic selected by the user. Or, if the user chooses not
to select a particular part of the topic, the invention can default
to a condition in which it conveys the user into the domain model
at the most general of the concepts found in the domain model.
Once the user has entered the domain model, the user interface and
the supporting devices, particularly the mediating representations,
enable the user to interact with and explore the domain model.
According to the preferred embodiment, the mediating
representations include (i) audio devices, (ii) visual devices,
(iii) video devices (e.g., motion pictures), (iv) textual devices,
(v) different concept maps, (vi) repertory grids (which are
particularly useful as knowledge acquisition/explanation tools in
expert systems), and (vii) combinations of the foregoing. Moreover,
certain mediating representations can be selectively associated
with other mediating representations to enhance the flexibility of
the tools available to a user to enable the user to understand and
explore the domain model.
A system according to the present invention is particularly useful
in connection with an expert system, for example, such as a nuclear
cardiology expert system. In the nuclear cardiology expert system,
first pass functional imaging of a patient's heart, along with
certain numeric patient data, are analyzed via a knowledge-based
system which can draw on several sources (e.g., image database,
case library, diseases knowledge base, objects and classes
knowledge base, etc.) to construct a diagnosis for the patient. The
present invention can function as an explanation tool, reference
tool, or teaching tool for such an expert system. The domain model
is constructed to reflect the domain of knowledge (i.e., the human
cognitive processes) of the expert(s) upon whose knowledge the
expert system is based. The domain model includes (i) at least one
concept map relating to the expert(s)' view of first pass cardiac
functional imagery, and (ii) supporting devices including mediating
representations (e.g., audio devices, visual devices, video
devices, other concept maps, repertory grids, textual devices)
connected with selected concepts forming nodes of the concept map.
Each of the mediating representations has an icon associated
therewith. A user interface is adapted to (i) display the domain
model, or selected portions thereof (including the concept maps and
other mediating representations and the icons associated
therewith), and (ii) respond to inputs from the user to enable the
user to interact with the supporting devices to understand and
explore the domain model. Thus, as the expert system is being used
for performing a diagnosis, the user can enter the domain model to
understand the expert(s)' reasoning in forming the diagnosis. On
the other hand, the user can enter and explore the domain model
apart from the expert system, using the domain model as a teaching
or reference tool.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become
increasingly apparent from the following detailed description and
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a nuclear cardiology expert system
with an explanation facility constructed according to the
principles of the present invention for enabling the user to enter
and interact with the domain of knowledge of an expert in nuclear
cardiology;
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the principal components of a
system constructed according to the principles of the present
invention for facilitating user understanding of a domain of
knowledge;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic illustrations of sample display screens
created during a consultation with a nuclear cardiology expert
system and illustrating the manner in which a user can enter an
explanation facility constructed according to the present
invention;
FIGS. 5-14 are schematic illustrations of portions of an
explanation facility constructed according to the principles of the
present invention; and
FIG. 15 is an enlarged, schematic illustration of some of the icons
associated with the mediating representations of a system according
to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is designed to facilitate user understanding of a domain
of knowledge underlying a knowledged-based system, such as a
nuclear cardiology expert system. The following detailed
description illustrates the manner in which the present invention
can be used with a nuclear cardiology expert system, NUCES,
designed to aid physicians in offering a diagnosis on the basis of
first pass cardiac functional images. However, it will also become
clear that the present invention has uses well beyond a NUCES type
system. For example, it will be clear that the principles of the
present invention can be used to construct explanation facilities
for other expert systems, or to construct teaching or reference
tools for exploring domains of knowledge.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates how a system constructed according
to the present invention can be used in connection with a nuclear
cardiology expert system 10 (NUCES). In such an expert systems
first pass functional imaging of a patient's heart, along with
certain numeric patient data, provide a patient image base 12 and a
patient data base 14, which are analyzed via a knowledge-based
system driver 16 which can draw on several knowledge bases 18
(e.g., image database, case library, diseases knowledge base,
objects and classes knowledge base, etc.) to perform a diagnosis
for the patient. The present invention embodies a computer-based
method of organizing and representing domain knowledge that
provides a browseable facility which can function as an explanation
tool for expert systems, a reference tool or a teaching tool.
Referring to FIG. 2, the explanation facility 20 includes a data
processing system including an input device, a data structure
defining a domain model 22, and a user interface 24. The domain
model 22 is constructed to reflect the knowledge (i.e., the human
cognitive processes) of an expert in nuclear cardiology. The domain
model 22 includes (i) at least one concept map relating to the
expert's view of first pass cardiac functional imagery, and (ii)
supporting devices including mediating representations (e.g., audio
devices, visual devices, video devices, other concept maps,
repertory grids, textual devices) connected with selected concepts
forming nodes of the concept map. Each of the mediating
representations has an icon associated therewith which symbolizes
the availability of that particular mediating representation at
each node in a concept map.
The user interface 24 is adapted to (i) display the domain model,
or selected portions thereof (including the concept maps and other
mediating representations and the icons associated therewith), and
(ii) respond to inputs from the user to enable the user to enter
the domain model and to interact with the supporting devices to
understand and explore the domain model. Thus, as the expert system
is being used for performing a diagnosis, the user interface 24
enables the user to enter and explore the domain model 22 to
understand the expert(s)' reasoning in forming the diagnosis. On
the other hand, the user interface 24 also enables the user to
enter and explore the domain model 22 apart from the expert system,
and to use the domain model 22 as a teaching or reference tool in
connection with nuclear cardiology.
A system according to the present invention can be implemented on a
Macintosh.TM. Quadra computer. The Macintosh.TM. Quadra computer
has extensive visual and sound capabilities that enable a user
interface and domain model to be constructed as described herein,
in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Programming of the Macintosh.TM. Quadra computer can be done in
various programming languages, to implement the principles of the
present invention. For example, the programming for creating the
domain model and user interface described below were written in the
"C" programming language.
The components of the domain model and the user interface, which
form the essence of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS.
5-14. The domain model is based upon an expert view of a topic
(e.g., nuclear cardiology) and includes at least one concept map
(see the top level concept map in window 40 in FIGS. 5 and 6), and
preferably several concept maps (an Ischemia concept map is shown
in window 42 in FIG. 7). Each concept map is formed by a series of
nodes (see Ischemia node 44 in the Ischemia concept map shown in
window 42 in FIG. 7), and links between selected nodes (see e.g.,
links 46, 48 in the concept map shown in window 42 of FIG. 7). The
nodes represent different concepts of the expert's view of the
topic. The links represent relationships between selected concepts,
also according to the expert's view of the topic. Together, the
nodes and links organize the concepts into a hierarchical framework
representing at least a portion of the expert's view of the topic.
Thus, in FIG. 5, the top level concept map shown in window 40
represents an overview of the expert's view of the domain wherein
the node labeled "first pass radionuclide ventriculogram"
represents the nuclear cardiology expert's broadest concept
relating to that topic. In FIG. 7, the Ischemia concept map shown
in window 42 presents an overview of the expert's view of
Ischemia.
Supporting devices are associated with selected nodes of each
concept map. The supporting devices are preferably one or more
mediating representations of a type taken from a group comprising
(i) audio devices, (ii) visual devices, (iii) video devices (e.g.,
motion pictures), (iv) textual devices, (v) repertory grids, and
(vi) other concept maps. The mediating representations provide
tools which expand the expert's explanation of concepts forming
part of the domain model and/or which direct the user to other
related concepts (or to other related mediating representations),
to enable the user to interact with the domain model, to understand
and explore the domain model.
An icon is associated with each mediating representation. FIG. 15
illustrates the icons 50, 54, 58, 62, 64, 68 which are associated
with the preferred mediating representations for the nuclear
cardiology domain model. FIG. 15 also illustrates an icon 70 which
represents another supporting device which is not a mediating
representation, but instead enables backtracking through the domain
model.
The icon 50 symbolizes textual devices ranging from brief
text-based descriptions of the relevant concepts (as shown in
window 52 of FIG. 9) to indepth journal articles or segments from
books. When a plethora of textual documents are available for a
particular concept, they are organized in a concept map as shown in
window 51 of FIG. 8.
The icon 54 symbolizes images of various kinds, including drawings
and photographs (among others) as shown in window 57 of FIG. 11. As
with the other mediating representations, when a plethora of
relevant visual images are available for a particular concept, they
are organized in a concept map as illustrated in window 56 of FIGS.
10A and 10B. In the example of FIGS. 5-14, the images may comprise
nuclear cardiology patient images which are digitized, grouped in
accordance with the expert's domain of knowledge, and disposed
within respective windows in the domain model.
The icon 58 symbolizes a video device (e.g., as shown in the window
60 in FIG. 14). The video device appears as a window 60 with a view
of the expert describing aspects of the domain model. The
audio/visual device preferably comprises a digitized segment of a
video recording. The video device can be produced using Quicktime
(an extension of the Macintosh.TM. operating system), and various
audio/visual tools available in a Macintosh.TM. environment. In the
example of FIGS. 5-14, the video devices were produced using
Quicktime, a program called "Media Grabber", marketed by Raster Ops
Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif., a Raster Ops 24XLTV graphics
board and a Raster Ops Movie Pak daughter board.
The icon 62 symbolizes audio devices (e.g., sound recordings of an
expert's explanation of a part of the domain model). The sound
recordings can be readily integrated into the domain model, using
tools readily available in a Macintosh.TM. environment.
The icon 64 symbolizes a repertory grid (e.g., as shown in window
66 in FIG. 13). A repertory grid is a knowledge
acquisition/explanation tool comprising a grid constructed of
elements identified by the expert as related to different concepts
of the domain model and values which are incorporated into the grid
to weight the expert's view of those elements toward one or the
other of the concepts, to help explain and/or illustrate certain
aspects of an expert's view of those elements and concepts.
The icon 68 symbolizes other concept maps (e.g., as shown in
windows 40, 42 and 59 in FIGS. 5, 7, and 12). When the user selects
this icon, a popup menu of other concept maps that are related to
the particular concept under study is displayed. The user can now
select one of these maps and be conveyed to that location in the
domain model. For example, in FIG. 6, if a user selects the
"concept map" icon associated with the concept "Ejection Fraction"
in the top level concept map shown in window 40, a popup menu 69 is
produced showing other concept maps which are related to the
concept Ejection Fraction. The user can select one of those other
concept maps to navigate to that concept map.
Concept maps are typically created by a knowledge engineer
interviewing an expert on a topic, forming the concepts expressed
by the expert into a hierarchical framework of nodes, and using
links to connect the concepts according to the expert's view of the
topic. Alternatively, the expert may construct the map by him or
herself.
Finally, the icon 70 is a backtrack. By selecting this icon, users
can return to their previous location in the domain model. The icon
70 is not a mediating representation, but functions as a supporting
device which can be used in exploring the domain model.
As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 5-14, a node in a given
concept map may have none or several mediating representations
associated with that node. Further, it should be noted that a
window associated with a given mediating representation may have
several supporting devices, including icons indicating the
availability of other mediating representations associated with
that particular concept under study. For example, in the "Example
Images" window 57 illustrated in FIG. 11, the window includes icons
indicating the availability of text, concept map, and video
mediating representations. These icons and their associated
mediating representations provide tools for enabling a user to
acquire additional knowledge about the images in the window, or to
move from that window to another place in the domain model to
continue the user's understanding and exploration of the domain
model.
Still further, a concept map hierarchy 72 (FIGS. 5-14) is provided
which, in the preferred embodiment, is always available for viewing
by a user. The concept map hierarchy 72 identifies the concept map
in which the user is currently located within the hierarchy of
concept maps in the domain model.
The user interface displays the domain model, or portions thereof,
and enables the user to enter the domain model and use the
mediating representations to understand and explore different
aspects of the domain model. For example, a display monitor
associated with the Macintosh.TM. computer would display the
different parts of the domain model (e.g., those parts of the
domain model illustrated in FIGS. 5-14). The user interface enables
the user to select a particular supporting device, e.g., one of the
icons associated with a mediating representation, to utilize that
mediating representation to understand or explore the domain model.
Moreover, the user interface provides a tool which conveys the user
into the domain model to begin the user's interaction with the
domain model. For example, during a consultation with the expert
system (as shown in window 87 in FIG. 3) the user is offered an
opportunity to request an explanation by selecting the "explain"
button 93. At this point, based on the context of the user's
interaction with the expert system, the user would be conveyed to a
relevant location within the domain model to begin interaction with
and exploration of the knowledge represented therein. Furthermore,
domain models of the sort made possible by the present invention
can be used as a reference or teaching tool independent of their
use with expert systems.
The system includes an input device including a pointer device
(e.g., a mouse, trackball, light pen, keypad, keyboard, etc.)
offering the user a tool to move a cursor about the domain model,
and to select lines, words, or icons to cause the system to display
the mediating representations symbolized by the icon, or to convey
the user to another part of the domain model, etc. The
Macintosh.TM. environment, including its graphic user interface,
provides convenient tools for producing and displaying the domain
model and for enabling a user to enter and interact with the domain
model, in order to understand and explore the domain model. The
types of input devices described above are well known in the art,
and should require no further explanation.
FIGS. 5-14 illustrate part of an exploration of a domain model, to
demonstrate the capabilities of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 5, the user has been conveyed into the domain model at the
broadest concept in the top level concept map illustrated in the
window 40. As illustrated, that broadest or most general concept is
described by the expert as "first pass radionuclide
ventriculogram". Referring to the concept map hierarchy window 72,
the user can see that he is located in the top level concept map.
By viewing the top level concept map, the user can see the
hierarchical framework used by the expert to describe broad
concepts related to nuclear cardiology. The user also gets a view
of the icon symbolizing the mediating representations associated
with selected concepts forming nodes in the top level concept map.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, certain nodes (e.g., "general
abnormalities") have a large number of mediating representations
associated with them. Other nodes (e.g., Ejection Fraction) may
have fewer mediating representations associated with them.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, a user has selected the "concept map"
icon associated with the "Ejection Fraction" node in the top level
concept map. The popup menu 69 identifies to the user the names of
the other concept maps which are related to the "Ejection Fraction"
concept. As further illustrated, the user has selected the
"Ischemia" concept map in the popup menu 69. The system then
conveys the user to the Ischemia concept map illustrated in window
42 in FIG. 7.
While in the Ischemia concept map, the user can view the expert's
hierarchical framework of concepts related to Ischemia. Further, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, the concept map hierarchy 72 gives the user
a visual image of the fact that he is now in the "Ischemia concept
map", and locates the "Ischemia concept map" within the concept map
hierarchy of the domain model.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the user has selected the "text" icon
under the broad concept, "Ischemia", in the Ischemia concept map.
As illustrated, rather than moving specifically to a body of
textual material, the text icon first conveys the user to the
Ischemia Text map illustrated in window 51. The Ischemia Text map
shows (i) a hierarchical framework of textual concepts related to
Ischemia, and (ii) textual mediating representations (e.g.,
text-based documents) associated with certain of those concepts. By
selecting the mediating representation associated with the textual
concept labeled "Textual Description of Ischemia" in the textual
concept map of FIG. 8, the system produces the window 52 with a
body of text describing Ischemia (see FIG. 9). Further, as
indicated by the available icons, the window 52 in FIG. 9 offers
the user several other mediating representations which would enable
the user to further explore the domain model.
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrates what happens if the user selects the
"images" icon at the "Ischemia" node of the Ischemia concept map
shown at window 42 in FIGS. 7, 10A and 10B. The window 56 is
produced (FIGS. 10A and 10B) showing a concept map identified as
"Ischemia Images", with mediating representations available at
certain nodes in that concept map. When the user selects the node
associated with the concept "Limited Hilat and/or Inferior", the
window 57 is opened (FIG. 11) and Example Images related to the
concept of limited high lateral or inferior blue fingers are shown,
In that window, the user is offered several additional mediating
representations to enable the user to further understand and
explore the domain model, For example, if the user selects the
"concept map" icon in the Example Images window 57 of FIG. 11, the
user is conveyed to yet an additional window 68 (FIG. 12) showing a
concept map entitled "Nonspecific WMA". That concept map provides a
hierarchical framework of additional concepts related to the images
shown in the images window 57 (FIG. 11) which the user was
exploring. Thus, the user, after navigating through several concept
maps, and through several mediating representations, and by using
the mediating representations associated with that window, is
conveyed to yet another concept map in the domain model, so that
the user can continue his exploration of additional aspects of the
expert's domain of knowledge underlying the domain model.
Turning to FIGS. 7 and 13, the user has selected the repertory grid
icon associated with the Ischemia node shown in window 42 in the
Ischemia map. The window 66 is opened providing the user with a
repertory grid associated with the Ischemia node. Also, as seen by
the icons displayed in that window, additional mediating
representations are offered, as well as an opportunity to select an
element or construct in the repertory grid to show the information
choices for that item.
Finally, FIGS. 7, 14 illustrate the mediating representation
presented to the user when the user selects the video icon
associated with the Ischemia node shown in window 42 in the
Ischemia concept map. The window 60 is opened with a video segment
in which the expert offers an explanation of the Ischemia concept.
Moreover, although not illustrated in FIG. 14, the window 60 with
the video segment could also include appropriate icons to allow
further navigation of the domain model from that window.
Thus, from the foregoing discussion, it should be clear how a user
can interact with the domain model, using the mediating
representations to amplify concepts found in the domain model
and/or to navigate to other related concepts. These tools allow the
user to browse the domain model as a reference or teaching tool.
Moreover, they provide a picture of the knowledge underlying the
domain model in such a way that the user can use the domain model
to construct his/her own explanations.
As explained above, when the present invention is associated with
an expert system, the user interface can convey the user to an
appropriate point in the domain model to enable the user to begin
his/her interaction with the domain model. For example, at any time
during a consultation with the expert system (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 3), or once the expert system has reached a diagnostic
conclusion (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), the user is offered an
opportunity to get an explanation of a particular term or concept.
When an explanation is requested, the user is conveyed to a
location in the domain modelmost apropos to the user's need for an
explanation. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, if the
diagnosis includes the term "Ischemia", by selecting the word
"Ischemia", the user would be conveyed directly to the Ischemia
concept map. The user would then have available all of the
mediating representations and other supporting devices to enable
the user to interact with the domain model, to explore the domain
model, to further develop an understanding of the basis for the
expert system's diagnosis, and/or to further understand the expert'
s knowledge related to the domain of Ischemia.
Thus, as seen from the foregoing description, the present invention
provides a system designed to facilitate a user's understanding of
a domain of knowledge. From the foregoing description, it will also
be clear that the principles of the present invention can be used
to construct explanation tools for various types of expert systems.
Further, it will be apparent to those in the art that the
principles of the invention can also be used to form teaching and
reference tools about a topic, apart from an expert system. With
the foregoing disclosure in mind, it is believed that yet
additional uses for the present invention will become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art.
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